Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of ALIMTA (pemetrexed disodium) plus cisplatin.Methods Patients with malignant mesothelioma were allocated to two treatment groups envelope:pemetrexed plus cisplatin (PEM-group) or cisplatin alone (DDP-group).Results A total of 64 patients were randomly assigned and evaluated.The number of patients in PEM- and DDP-group had a significant pathologic complete response were (56.25 ％ vs 21.88 ％,x2 =7.943,P ＜0.05).Progression-free survival was significantly higher in PEM-group (P ＜0.05),and 2-year survival rate was lower in DDP-group (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Pemetrexed elicit significant tumor response and delays disease progression compared with DDP alone in patients with advanced MPM.Improvement in OS is seen in this study.

Objective To obtain an accurate prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in large sample of ≥75 year old elderly living in Guangzhou city. Methods From August 1994 to December 1995, the study was conducted in Liwan District of Guangzhou, China. A two stage cluster sampling design was used to obtain a large sample. ‘Jiedao’ (resident unit in China) was the primary sampling units (PSU),‘Jumin Xiaozu’ (resident group) was the secondary sampling units (SSU). Systematic sampling and simple random sampling procedures were used for the first and second stages, respectively. The study was divided into two phases: a door to door survey of the entire sample aged ≥75 years (4 735 persons), followed by a clinical examination of suspected cases for positive and differential diagnosis. In the first phase, mini mental status examination (MMSE) was used as screening method for dementia. In the second phase, dementia and AD were clinically diagnosed according to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM III R) , National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders (NINCDS) and Stroke Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (ADRDA). Results The sensitivity and specificity of MMSE were 0 7451 and 0 7496 respectively while the positive predictive value was 0 2251. The prevalence of dementia in individuals aged 75 years and over was 8 90%, in which male and female were found to be 2 91% and 13 11%, and that of AD was 7 49%, male and female found to be 2 01% and 11 36% respectively. The prevalence of vascular dementia (VD) was 1 16%. Of the subjects with dementia, 84 24% was diagnosed Alzheimer's disease, 13% VD, and 2 76% dementia with other causes. The proportion of AD increased obviously by every 5 years. Conclusions The prevalence of dementia in ≥ 75 year persons was lower in Guangzhou than that in Shanghai, but was higher than that in other regional studies within China. In ≥75 year male and/or poorly educated female were more easily suffered from AD. The proportion of AD in dementia was higher in this study than that in others. These figures indicated that as a screening tool for dementia MMSE need improving and should be combined with ADL and POD together.

Objective To investigate the probable pathologic basis of amido proton transfer(APT) imaging by analysing APT signal intensity and pathologic features of different grades of glioma.Methods Twenty-eight patients with glioma confirmed by postoperative pathology underwent APT scan.All the patients were divided into two groups,including 11 cases in low grade (WHO Ⅰ and Ⅱ) and 17 cases in high grade (WHO Ⅲ and Ⅳ) group.The APT rate of tumor core was measured.The specimens were processed with routine hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry of Ki-67 and CD34.Independent-samples t test was used to detect the difference of APT rate,cellularity,microvessel density and Ki-67 labeling indices of tumor core between low grade and high grade group.Pearson correlation analysis and multi-variable linear regression analysis were used to detect the relationship of APT rate with cellularity,microvessel density and Ki-67 labeling indices of the tumor core.Results The APT rate,cellularity and proliferation index were (2.3±0.6) ％,(9.4±2.4) ％ and (14.2±5.4) ％ in low grade group,while (3.6±0.7) ％,(18.4±4.7) ％ and (31.7±4.5) ％ in high grade group,respectively.Microvessel density was (19.0±7.4) per high-power field in low grade group and (38.9±11.3) in high grade group.There were statistical differences of the APT rate,cellularity,microvessel density and proliferation index between the low grade group and the high grade group (t=-4.94,-5.89,-5.13,and-9.28,respectively,P＜0.01).The APT rate was positive correlated with cellularity,microvessel density and proliferation index.The coefficient of correlation were 0.904,0.598,and 0.750,respectively,(P＜0.01).Multiple linear correlative analysis showed that increasing cellularity (X1),microvessel density (X2) and proliferation index (X3) were the main factors for increasing APT rate,and the correlation equation was Y=0.801 + 0.12X1-0.003X2 + 0.026X3 (F=46.437,P＜0.01,R2=0.853).Conclusions The APT signal intensity of the tumor core could reflect the pathologic features of glioma.The APT rate was positive correlated with cellularity,microvessel density and proliferation index,which indicate the higher APT rate the higher grade tumor.

OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability and validity of Health Scale of Traditional Chinese Medicine (HSTCM) by means of questionnaires. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Liwan Community of Guangzhou, Old People's Home in Guangzhou and Outpatient Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 652 Chinese individuals (over 18 years old) were assessed with the 88-item version of HSTCM and World Health Organization Quality of Life Measure-Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF), which were randomly delivered to them. Some socioeconomic characteristics were registered. RESULTS: A test-retest reliability (15-day interval) was found among the 76 persons who completed the questionnaires by themselves. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.93. Associated 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.89-0.96. Split-half reliability was 0.79. Inter-investigator reliability (0.93) was also good, and the ICC of HSTCM was 0.90 (95%CI 0.67-0.97). The correlation between HSTCM and WHOQOL-BREF was -0.66. The correlations of HSTCM and questionnaire deliver order, investigator, interview date and interview time were 0.06, -0.12, -0.17 and 0.20 respectively. The correlation between HSTCM and self-rated health (0.46) was greater than that between HSTCM and chronic illness (0.28). Divided by individuals with or without chronic illness, area under the ROC (receiver operator characteristic) curve for HSTCM was 0.67 (95%CI 0.63-0.71). CONCLUSION: It indicates that the HSTCM is conceptually valid with satisfactory psychometric properties and forms a basis for further applications in clinical research of traditional or integrative medicine.

Objective To observe the protective effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XZD) on vascular endothelial cells (VEC) injured by the serum of blood_stasis_syndrome ( BSS) rabbits. Methods The morphological features of VEC cultured with norma l rabbit serum (Group A), BSS rabbit serum(Group B), the serum of normal rabbit medicated with XZD(Group C) and the serum of BSS rabbit medicated with XZD(Group D) were observed respectively under light microscope and electron microscope. Results Under light microscope, VEC was shrinked, intercellular space widene d and cytoplasm contained dark granules in Group B. The change of intercellular space was not obvious in Group D. Under electron microscope, pinocytotic vesicle s increased, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) decreased and dilated, mitochondr ia became smaller and indistinct and only a small amount of microvilli appeared on cell membrane with top expanded and merged in VEC of Group B as compared with Group A and Group C. Less RER but no dilatation and fewer microvilli without to p merged were found in VEC of Group B. Conclusion The serum of BSS rabbits c an injury normal VEC cultured in vitro and XZD exerts a certain protective effe ct on VEC injured by the serum of BSS rabbits.

To select appropriate descriptors for responses of the Health Scale of Traditional Chinese Medicine (HSTCM).

Objective To study the anticoagulant and fibrinolytic mechanism of vascular endothelial cells in rabbit model of blood stasis syndrome (BSS). Methods BS S rabbit model was induced by injection of noradrenaline and bovine serum albumin . The aortic endothelial cells from the normal rabbits (Group A)and BSS rabbits (Group B)were cultured primarily and subcultured. The activities of antithrombin Ⅲ (AT_Ⅲ), tis sue_type plasminogen activator (t_PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in the plasma of rabbits and cultured supernatant were measured. Results The activities of t_PA and AT_Ⅲ were obviously decreased and PAI activity incre ased in the plasma of BSS model rabbits as compared with those of the normal rabbits (P 0.05 ). Conclusion Anticoagulant and fibrinolytic dysfunction p lays an imp ortant role in the occurrence and development of BSS.

Objective To explore the MR imaging characteristics of brain tumors in infants to improve the diagnosis and early treatment.Methods Twelve infants with brain tumors (less than 1 year old),performed surgery in our hospital from April 2008 to August 2014 and proved by pathology,were collected in our study; the clinical data and MR imaging features were reviewed retrospectively.Results Among the 12 infants,4 (33％) had tumors located at the lateral ventricle,3 (25％) at the cerebral hemisphere,one (8.3％) at the pineal region,one (8.3％) at the suprasellar region,one (8.3％) at the cerebral convexity,one (8.3％) at the cerebellar hemisphere and one (8.3％) at the fourth ventricle.These tumors included immature teratoma (n=3),choroid plexus tumor (n=3),atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (n=2),medulloblastoma (n=1),anaplastic ependymoma (n=1),pilomyxoidastrocytomas (n=1) and infantile fibrosarcoma (n=1).Diversity of MR imaging features was found in different types of brain tumors; tumors as immature teratoma,atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor and infantile fibrosarcoma showed mainly mixed signal intensity on T1-weighted images and T2-weighted images,and these tumors displayed heterogeneously enhancement at MR imaging; choroid plexus tumors and medulloblastoma showed isointenseon T1-weighted images and T2-weighted images mostly,and both had obvious enhancement; anaplastic ependymoma showed isointensity signal on T1-weighted images,slightly hyperintenseon T2-weighted images and heterogeneously enhancement; pilomyxoidastrocytomas were hypointenseon Tl-weighted images,hyperintenseon T2-weighted images and homogeneous enhancement.Conclusions Immature teratomas,choroid plexus tumors and embryonal tumors are common in infants.Supratentorial tumors are mostly found.Typical features are showed in some brian tumors,but part of atypical tumors remain challenging in diagnosis.To improve diagnostic accuracy,imaging data should be accumulated in the future.

Objective: To investigate the effects of mandibular advancement device (MAD) upon nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the genioglossus. Methods: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits (male, six months old), in accordance with the random number table, were equally divided into three groups, the control group, obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) group and MAD group. All animals were induced to sleep in supine position for 2 hours every morning in the next 8 weeks. The specimens of genioglossus were prepared. The relative expression of NF-κB p65 was measured with Western blotting and the mass concentration of TNF-α and IL-6 was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The relative expressions of NF-κB p65 protein in genioglossus in the control group, OSAHS group and MAD group were 0.24±0.07, 0.44±0.08 and 0.30±0.09, respectively. The mass concentrations of TNF-α in genioglossus in the control group, OSAHS group and MAD group were (0.065±0.020), (0.097±0.018) and (0.071±0.020) μg/L, respectively. The mass concentrations of IL-6 in genioglossus in the control group, OSAHS group and MAD group were (0.063±0.013), (0.093±0.017), and (0.069±0.014) μg/L, respectively. For the above indicators, the data in OSAHS group were all significantly higher than that in MAD group and the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between MAD group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusions Treatment of OSAHS with MAD decreased the mass concentration of TNF-α and IL-6 leading to fatigue of genioglossus, reduced the activation of NF-κB and played a significant role in protecting genioglossus.